LaGrange Animal Services has found an innovative way to adopt out its dogs while also following social distancing guidelines.

Last week, the shelter parked the animal mobile unit in its parking lot to allow potential adopters to drive up to the unit and view the animals from their cars.

“You can drive up to it, or even walk up to it providing there is no one else there and you are six feet apart,” LaGrange Animal Services Supervisor Chris Bussey said. “We also have the pictures on Facebook of the dogs that are in there for the day.”

Animals can be viewed in the parking lot of the animal shelter, which is located at 1390 Orchard Hill Road in LaGrange. Bussey also said dogs can be brought into the yard so potential adopters can play with them.

“People can also call make an appointment if they want,” Bussey said. “They can play with the dog as much as they want to outside.”

Bussey said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the perfect time to adopt a dog from the shelter.

“It’s definitely a good time right now with everyone home,” Bussey said. “If there’s been issues with time constraints, now people have the time with being quarantined and staying at home. Weekends are free now, too. It’s a perfect time to adopt and meet your friend and teach them how to be housebroken.”

Animals are currently half price at the shelter and cost $37.50. Citizens will need to call (706) 298-3606 when they pull into the parking lot. A staff member will then come out to the car to help with a future furry friend.

“I think it’s been pretty successful,” Bussey said. “We’ve had two or three adoptions on Thursday, another two on Friday, and we’ve had two today (Monday) so far, so it’s going pretty good.”

Bussey said the shelter hasn’t seen a dip in adoptions yet.

“The animal intake has actually gone down on some days too,” Bussey said.

The shelter will have four to five dogs in the mobile unit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week. There are also about 10 more dogs available for adoption inside the shelter that they are rotating through the mobile unit each day.